July 10, 2010
Friars' Wilson to Temple
DE/TE Khadeem Wilson has committed at Temple (photo credit: St. Anthony football).
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – St. Anthony defensive end/tight end Khadeem Wilson may be far from a finished product on the gridiron. Despite that, his recent verbal commitment to Temple University serves as a reminder of the considerable talent and potential of the senior.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but athletically you don’t see a lot of kids who are 6’3” 240 who can run like that,” St. Anthony head coach Sean Fallon said. “He’s going to be special.”
That athleticism intrigued Temple enough to invite Wilson to the campus back on June 19 and offer a scholarship. Temple was the first Division 1 team to offer him a scholarship.
“(The coaches) on both sides of the ball seemed to like me,” Wilson said. “The defensive end coach loved my tape.”
“He really likes the campus,” Fallon said. “He really likes the coaching staff. He liked being down there and I said if he really likes it, the one positive of committing now is that you get to focus on your senior year.”
The Owls’ coaching staff has yet to determine which position Wilson will play at Temple. Wilson, who said he is a little stronger on the defensive side of the ball, made his biggest impact at defense thus far in his career.
Last season at Marist, Wilson recorded 11 tackles and six sacks. He also had 36 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown, earning a spot on HCV’s All-County Team and was an All-NJTCC Division 6 selection.
“As an opposing coach just looking at his athletic ability, its intimidating because the kid’s tough and the kid can play,” Fallon said. “He’s got really long arms, he’s really strong and with him coming off that corner with some coaching and some hand placement (he’ll be tough).”
Wilson was also an All-NJTCC Division 6 selection at tight end as he used his speed to become a vertical receiving threat from the position.
Last season was Wilson’s lone year at Marist, where he also played basketball. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at St. Anthony and decided to transfer back to the Jersey City school in March. After a year away, Wilson was happy for the chance to return to his old teammates and friends.
“It’s a great feeling to be back with all my fellow teammates from before because it’s like a family,” Wilson said. “It’s more than just being on the field, it’s in the classroom, outside of school. It feels good to be back.”